Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheel controller (108) for a vehicle (100), comprising a wheel slip calculation module (212) arranged to calculate a longitudinal wheel slip value for a wheel slip between a surface of the wheel (102) and a road surface thereof; a wheel force estimation module (214) arranged to estimate a longitudinal wheel force value for a wheel force between the surface of the wheel (102) and the road surface; a tire model generator (216) arranged to receive longitudinal wheel slip values from the wheel slip calculation module (212) and longitudinal wheel force values from the wheel force estimation module (214); said tire model generator (216) being configured to generate a model (300, 400) representing a relationship between the calculated longitudinal wheel slip and the estimated longitudinal wheel force by using at least three longitudinal wheel force values and three corresponding longitudinal wheel slip values; and a vehicle wheel capability module (218) arranged in communication wi

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheel controller (108) for a vehicle (100), comprising a wheel slip calculation module (212) arranged to calculate a longitudinal wheel slip value for a wheel slip between a surface of the wheel (102) and a road surface thereof; a wheel force estimation module (214) arranged to estimate a longitudinal wheel force value for a wheel force between the surface of the wheel (102) and the road surface; a tire model generator (216) arranged to receive longitudinal wheel slip values from the wheel slip calculation module (212) and longitudinal wheel force values from the wheel force estimation module (214); said tire model generator (216) being configured to generate a model (300, 400) representing a relationship between the calculated longitudinal wheel slip and the estimated longitudinal wheel force by using at least three longitudinal wheel force values and three corresponding longitudinal wheel slip values; and a vehicle wheel capability module (218) arranged in communication wi

Abstract: In a method for controlling cooling of an auxiliary brake on a vehicle, the auxiliary brake is cooled by a cooling member. The method comprises the steps of: determining if the vehicle is travelling down a slope or is to be driven down a slope, and activating the cooling member automatically for cooling the auxiliary brake provided that at least one predefined downhill slope condition is determined.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a compressed air system and a brake assembly. The compressed air system includes an actuating means for actuating a pneumatic-controlled vehicle component and an exhaust outlet adapted to discharge exhaust air from the actuating means. The vehicle system includes a discharge device for discharging air to at least a portion of the brake assembly. A method of improving the braking characteristics of a brake assembly is also provided. Furthermore, the use of exhaust air in order to improve the braking characteristics of a brake assembly is also described.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing a compressed air system in a vehicle that includes a connection (6, 10) for delivering compressed air from a compressor (2) to the rest of the compressed air system (1). An oxidation catalytic converter (9) is included that is designed to clean the compressed air and which is located along the connection (6, 10). The connection (6, 10) includes a line (10) that forms a connection between the oxidation catalytic converter (9) and the rest of the compressed air system. The invention also includes a valve (11) that is arranged upstream of the rest of the compressed air system (1) and that can be adjusted so that in a first position it will allow and in a second position will prevent the delivery of air to the rest of the compressed air system (1), depending on the operating condition of the compressor (2). The invention provides an improved system in which the risk of contaminated air being delivered to the compressed air system is minimized.

Abstract: In a method for controlling cooling of an auxiliary brake on a vehicle, the auxiliary brake is cooled by a cooling member. The method comprises the steps of: determining if the vehicle is travelling down a slope or is to be driven down a slope, and activating the cooling member automatically for cooling the auxiliary brake provided that at least one predefined downhill slope condition is determined.

Abstract: In a system and a method of stabilizing a vehicle combination of a towing vehicle and a trailer or a semi-trailer, wherein a trailer brake system on the trailer or semi-trailer which may be operated together with the a vehicle brake system on the towing vehicle as well as independent from said vehicle brake system, the system and method includes: detecting at least one signal corresponding to at least one driving condition; computing the detected at least one signal corresponding to said at least one driving condition and comparing the at least one detected signal with a corresponding predetermined values representing a critical driving condition; allowing independent operation of the trailer brake system in response to a detected critical driving condition; and automatically operating the trailer brake system in response to the activation means by applying temporary braking actions on the trailer. Hereby, a proactive stabilising trailer brake system, also known as stretch-braking, is provided.

Abstract: A motor vehicle fitted with a control system for applying braking effect to foundation brakes acting on each wheel of the vehicle, when the braking effect provided by auxiliary brakes, acting on the driven wheels, is lost or significantly reduced is described. Sudden loss of auxiliary brake force can be felt as very bad drivability of the vehicle, a situation that typically occurs in case of low friction between road and tires or if the auxiliary brakes are down controlled to avoid engine stop. By use of a control system, these situations can be avoided. The control system includes a sensor, and a computer for computing and applying the braking effect to the foundation brakes to compensate for the loss of auxiliary braking force. Disclosed is also a method for applying braking effect to the foundation brakes of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A protection device (10) in a disk brake arrangement for protecting a brake disk (12) from dirt particles. The protection device at least partly surrounds the brake disk (12), and the protection device (10) includes at least one protection assembly (13) that is mounted on the wheel suspension (11) and consists at least partly of a material of which the shape is influenced by heat. The protection assembly has a first end position which prevents dirt particles and relative wind from striking the brake disk directly and a second end position which allows relative wind to strike the brake disk directly so as thus to obtain cooling of the brake disk. The first end position occurs when the temperature of the protection assembly lies below a first temperature and the second end position occurs when the temperature of the protection assembly exceeds a second temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle, such as a lorry or a bus, includes compressed air consuming devices and a power driven compressor to deliver compressed air to at least one storage tank. A control device controls the operation of the compressor so as to maintain the air pressure in the tank at a desired pressure level sufficient to operate the air consuming devices, such as a braking system and a suspension system, when needed. The air pressure is usually maintained substantially at a predetermined first elevated level or value.

Abstract: A system for adjusting the chassis height and/or tilt of a motor vehicle including a plurality of chassis height adjusting devices includes a combination instrument comprising a display and a menu system defining an interface between an operator and the height adjusting devices. The chassis height and/or tilt is adjusted in response to an input provided by the operator. A motor vehicle including such a system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for controlling or regulating total auxiliary brake torque in a motor vehicle. The device includes at least one first auxiliary brake (4) of a first type and at least one second auxiliary brake (4, 6) of a second type that is different from the first type. The second auxiliary brake (4, 6) can take the form of a retarder (4, 6). A control system (10, 17) is provided for controlling or regulating the auxiliary brake. Information is stored in the control system regarding characteristics of the respective auxiliary brake (4, 6) and at least one predefined limit value for maximally permitted auxiliary brake torque. The control system (10, 17) is designed such that, if the limit value is exceeded or if a request is made for the brake force from the auxiliary brakes (4, 6) to be moderated, then this is done by turning down or moderating, in the first place, the brake torque of the retarder (6).

Abstract: The invention includes an arrangement for a compressed air system including an air compressor arranged to generate compressed air for the compressed air system, an air dryer arranged to dry the generated compressed air and an arrangement for unloading the air compressor in certain conditions. The arrangement for unloading includes a control unit arranged to send a control signal to a valve, an air line between the valve and the air compressor, with the control unit being arranged to activate the control signal for unloading the air compressor in the event of at least one predetermined operating state of the air compressor. A method for a compressed air system is also disclosed. Improved unloading of an air compressor can be obtained, which takes place in the event of certain predetermined operating states, such as for example, when an engine speed exceeds a particular limit value.

Abstract: A method and device for evaluating the capacity of a compressor (1) by air being allowed to flow out from a pressure tank (3) through an opening of known geometry. Following a calculation, the quantity of evacuated air is obtained. After this, a compressor (1) pumps back up to the initial pressure in the pressure tank (3). The compressor capacity (1) is established by comparing the time it takes for the compressor (1) to pump back up to the initial pressure in the pressure tank (3) with the time it takes when an acceptable compressor (1) pumps the same quantity of air. By the compressor capacity (1) is here meant the quantity of air which the compressor (1) delivers per unit of time at a given compressor speed and counter-pressure.

Abstract: Motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine, a transmission and at least a first and a second brake device. The first brake device acts directly on at least some of the wheels of the vehicle and the second brake device acts on the driving wheels of the vehicle via the transmission and is arranged before the clutch device of the transmission. The first brake device is activated when the second brake device is in an activated state and a shifting operation is started.

Abstract: A method and device for evaluating the capacity of a compressor (1) by air being allowed to flow out from a pressure tank (3) through an opening of known geometry. Following a calculation, the quantity of evacuated air is obtained. After this, a compressor (1) pumps back up to the initial pressure in the pressure tank (3). The compressor capacity (1) is established by comparing the time it takes for the compressor (1) to pump back up to the initial pressure in the pressure tank (3) with the time it takes when an acceptable compressor (1) pumps the same quantity of air. By the compressor capacity (1) is here meant the quantity of air which the compressor (1) delivers per unit of time at a given compressor speed and counter-pressure.

Abstract: Motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine, a transmission and at least a first and a second brake device. The first brake device acts directly on at least some of the wheels of the vehicle and the second brake device acts on the driving wheels of the vehicle via the transmission and is arranged before the clutch device of the transmission. The first brake device is activated when the second brake device is in an activated state and a shifting operation is started.

Abstract: A compressed air supply system including a compressor (12), a compressed air line (4) that connects an outlet (3) from the said compressor to an inlet (5) to a first active component (6), and an adjustable fan (13) which is controlled by a control unit and is arranged to generate an air flow intended to cool the said compressed air line (4), and a vehicle comprising such a system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for distributing brake torque between at least a first and a second braking device on a motor vehicle having at least two wheel pairs. The first braking device is a friction brake which acts on at least one wheel pair and the second braking device acts on at least one driven wheel pair. The distribution of brake torque between the first braking device and the second braking device takes account of brake torque required and also the maximum brake torque the first braking device and the second braking device can deliver. The distribution of brake torque takes place when the vehicle is driven with a cruise control function.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing a compressed air system in a vehicle that includes a connection (6, 10) for delivering compressed air from a compressor (2) to the rest of the compressed air system (1). An oxidation catalytic converter (9) is included that is designed to clean the compressed air and which is located along the connection (6, 10). The connection (6, 10) includes a line (10) that forms a connection between the oxidation catalytic converter (9) and the rest of the compressed air system. The invention also includes a valve (11) that is arranged upstream of the rest of the compressed air system (1) and that can be adjusted so that in a first position it will allow and in a second position will prevent the delivery of air to the rest of the compressed air system (1), depending on the operating condition of the compressor (2). The invention provides an improved system in which the risk of contaminated air being delivered to the compressed air system is minimized.